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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think this is one of the most stupid things I have ever heard....?

35 replies

Moulesfrites · 21/05/2011 18:48

My friend has told me if I don't get my ds a jumperoo he will be a late walker as he will not have the opportunity to develop his leg muscles. Makes me wonder how our ancestors ever moved beyond the crawling stage.

I am instinctively against these kinds of things anyway, I know quite a few babies who are tippy-toe walkers who have spend a lot of time scooting around in a baby walker. Am not sure that the jumperoo is quite as bad, but my friend seems to think it is ESSENTIAL Hmm. Just wanted to vent!

OP posts:
strandedbear · 21/05/2011 18:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsPlesWearsAFez · 21/05/2011 18:52

YANBU

LadyThumb · 21/05/2011 18:52

In the 'old' days people used to spend time with babies being held up and 'jumping' to strenghten their legs. What's the difference?

I watched a programme the other evening about a tribe of people who start doing this with their babies very early, and continue to do it daily - all their children are walking by 10 months old (because the mothers have to work and it is easier to have a walking child than to continue carrying them).

bibbitybobbityhat · 21/05/2011 18:53

I'm not quite sure what a jumperoo is, and anyway quite agree that NO item of baby equipment is essential except car seat if you are going to transport baby in a car, but if she means what we used to call a door bouncer back in 2001, then I would highly recommend Grin. Both my dc would happily bounce in the door bouncer for 30 mins watching me cooking dinner and it was an absolute Godsend, because they were near me, occupied and happy, but not crawling around getting under my feet.

FabbyChic · 21/05/2011 18:53

My kids never had a walker and that was over 20 years ago. Never done them any harm.

Imnotaslimjim · 21/05/2011 18:53

Totally agree with you, its amazing what some people believe we need!

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 21/05/2011 18:53

Goodness me... what on earth did parents do before the advent of the 'Jumperoo'? People are so daft sometimes, an advertisers' dream. Hmm

You're not being unreasonable, OP.

BertieBasset · 21/05/2011 18:56

Jumperoos are great, I would recommend definitely as a way to get 15 mins to yourself while baby goes crazy in it.

But essential?!! No of course not! My dd was a late walker and she was a jumperoo addict so there goes your friend's theory Smile

bibbitybobbityhat · 21/05/2011 18:59

Please please tell me, what is a jumperoo?

(Both my children spent a lot of time in their door bouncer from 6 months+ and were both walking at 12/13 months).

TheOriginalFAB · 21/05/2011 18:59

I have an irrational hatred of baby walkers and the like. My children never had them or door bouncers. My dd has bone problems and my son was a tip toe walker as it was without adding in those.

OP - maybe your friend isn't sure she is doing the right thing by using one and thinks if you have one they must be fine. Tell her you don't want one and enjoy her thinking you know best Grin or something like that

LadyOfTheFlowers · 21/05/2011 19:03

Mine have all used a baby walker - the very old 'illegal' type with office chair wheels. With 4 kids I didn't find it essential but certainly useful. Also the door bouncer thing - they would go nuts in that.

DS1 started walking at 10 months and the rest around 12 months.

BelleDameSansMerci · 21/05/2011 19:04

My DD had a jumperoo and a baby walker and hated them both... I don't think either are essential nor are they the work of the devil.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 21/05/2011 19:04

Iirc they're good for vestibular development. I think they're fab, but obv. not essential.

OP posts:
bibbitybobbityhat · 21/05/2011 19:08

Ffs, what the jeff is a jumperoo?

No one reads anyone else's posts on this chuffing site!

ChippingIn · 21/05/2011 19:08

There was an almost identical thread last week about a walker (so it ended up being about jumperoos/walkers).

Essentially all of the research shows they are bad for a baby's hip development and does not help them learn to walk or strengthen their muscles as the way they push/jump is very different to walking. Also you get the tippy toe thing and the 'pushing' the top part of their body forward.

Annecdote does not equal data so just because lots of people will say 'it didn't do my child any harm' doesn't change the research - no one knows what impact it will have on their child when they are adults.

I wouldn't use either.

However, all that is an aside really Grin YANBU

TheOriginalFAB · 21/05/2011 19:17

bibbity

tri10 · 21/05/2011 19:24

My DD had a jumperoo it was great and the only thing that kept her amused. But she didn't walk till 20 months because of toe walking, i don't the jumperoo was entirely to blame as i'm sure she always pushed up on her toes before the jumperoo so i think she would have been a toe walker anyway.

But now at just over two the toe walking hasn't improved and is currently in casts to encourage her not to toe walk for four weeks.

So i guess YANBU. and i am bad mummy who has wrecked dds feet

TheCrackFox · 21/05/2011 19:25

I wouldn't allow something so ugly into my house.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 21/05/2011 19:27

Shit. DD didnt have either but walked at 9 months.

Original poster
Moulesfrites · 21/05/2011 19:28

Ha TCF, there is that. However, my ever so thoughtfully decorated and stylish (IMO) house has been transformed recently by the arrival of ds and his primary coloured plastic toys!

OP posts:
LauraIngallsWilder · 21/05/2011 19:30

My ds had a door bouncer (about £20)
He spent no more than 20 minutes in it every day while I did the washing up and sang old macdonald to him. It hung from the kitchen door frame and served a very similar purpose then as our trampoline does now!!

I wouldnt bother with a jumperoo though - looking on amazon it looks like they cost over £100 Shock
Walkers I agree are not good

Pictish · 21/05/2011 19:32

They are damned ugly and wouldn't get house room here.

My dd was born with dysplasia of both hips and spent her first 3 months in a frog cast. I was warned well away from baby walkers and jumperoos as they are potentially very damamging to little hips.

sungirltan · 21/05/2011 19:33

thecrackfox - yes quite!

yanbu. jumperoos are naff looking and over stimulate with all their bells and whistles assuming you mean the FP jungle thing. i hate them but thats my taste, not everyone's.

i did use a door bouncer which dd loved but my physio friend was horrified and said i was risking dd's bone development using that and a bumbo so i have got id of both for dc2.

dd walked at 18 months but thats because she was a bum shuffler

CoffeeDodger · 21/05/2011 19:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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